The second and much-anticipated installment of the TAG Heuer x Nintendo partnership is revealed in the form of two collector limited-edition TAG Heuer Formula 1 chronographs celebrating Mario Kart.
La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland – 13 October 2022: After kicking off their partnership in 2021 with the TAG Heuer Connected x Super Mario Limited Edition which quickly became a must-have among fans, the Swiss luxury watchmaker and Nintendo are back with two limited-edition mechanical watches this year, the TAG Heuer Formula 1 X Mario Kart Limited Editions (Chronograph and Chronograph Tourbillon).
Fans of the energetic, intrepid Super Mario will recognize their favorite character taking over one of TAG Heuer’s emblematic collections, fittingly dedicated to racing. The two never-seen-before designs were achieved through close collaboration between the TAG Heuer and Nintendo teams to customize every detail of these pieces. The watches highlight the common themes shared by the TAG Heuer Formula 1 collection and the Mario Kart series: adrenaline, speed, competitiveness, all the way to victory. “We are excited to reveal the two latest pieces born from our collaboration with Nintendo. The TAG Heuer Formula 1 X Mario Kart Limited Editions (Chronograph and Chronograph Tourbillon) expertly mix fun gaming references that will delight fans of Mario Kart around the world, with refined and high performing timekeeping.” explains Frédéric Arnault, CEO of TAG Heuer. “The spirit of the TAG Heuer Formula 1 collection was the perfect match for mechanical Mario Kart limited editions, thanks to its modern and playful personality, driven by speed and friendly competition. The two timepieces are designed for lovers of fine watchmaking who have kept their fresh, fun outlook on life.”
TAG Heuer Formula 1 X Mario Kart Limited Edition (Chronograph)
Powered by the automatic Calibre 16 movement, the TAG Heuer Formula 1 X Mario Kart Limited Edition (Chronograph) is limited to 3000 pieces. It was imagined in a 44-mm steel case infused with references to the world-famous racing games series: the Mario Kart logo is inscribed on the black polished ceramic tachymeter bezel with Super-LumiNova®, the 2 o’clock pusher and crown are circled with an iconic red lacquer, Mario’s M symbol is etched on the crown and Mario Kart logo is engraved on the dedicated screwed-down case back along with the outline of him in a racecar.
The bold, assertive, and elegant dial features a black and anthracite checkered pattern inspired by the racetrack, custom asphalt textured sub-counters with Mario appearing in the 9 o’clock permanent seconds indicator which is circled in an iconic red. The unmistakable color is also present on the lacquered central hand, hour chronograph counter hand and 60-second or minute scale on the flange. Delighting its owner with “easter eggs” or extra surprises, the date window at 3 o’clock will regularly intercalate fan favorite Mario Kart items including Bullet Bill, the Banana and more, in lieu of the date number.
TAG Heuer Formula 1 X Mario Kart Limited Edition (Chronograph Tourbillon)
The Haute Horlogerie piece of this drop is the TAG Heuer Formula 1 X Mario Kart Limited Edition (Chronograph Tourbillon), limited to only 250 pieces. The slightly larger 45-mm case is made of high-performance grade 5 titanium, projecting a sporty yet refined look, which mixes fine-brushed and polished finishings. The crown and pushers are fine-brushed steel, and the screwed-down case back is grade 5 titanium with a custom sapphire glass featuring the Mario Kart logo, through which TAG Heuer’s high precision COSC-certified Calibre Heuer 02T movement can be fully appreciated. The case back is engraved with XXX/250.
The black polished ceramic bezel with a tachymeter scale up to 400 km/h includes the Mario Kart logo in white Super-LumiNova® at the top right. The 2 o’clock pusher and crown are circled with red lacquer with the M symbol of Mario also highlighted on the top of the crown. The dial is a sophisticated skeletonized black with an iconic red contrasting lines along the cutouts, adding depth and energy to the watch’s face, and a matching central hands and 60-second or minute scale on the flange. The tri-compax layout showcases two grained chronograph sub-counters at 3 and 9 o’clock, with the tourbillon centered at 6 o’clock. At 12 o’clock, a gearwheel echoes the rims on racecar tires. The tourbillon cage with alternate finishings and circled with Super-LumiNova® was fully redesigned to showcase Mario in his kart, the Spiny Shell and Bullet Bill moving in rhythm with the complication. Both timepieces share a black calf leather strap with contrasting red stitching and lining and a custom embossed pattern. The folding buckle – made of steel on the chronograph and titanium on the tourbillon – is also personalized with the M symbol of Mario. They will be presented in specially developed black watch boxes with matching travel pouches.
Two unmissable highlights of TAG Heuer’s limited editions in 2022, the TAG Heuer Formula 1 X Mario Kart Limited Edition chronographs bring unbridled creativity, fresh style and high watchmaking performance to Mario fans worldwide.
Available from 20 October 2022, the TAG Heuer Formula 1 X Mario Kart Limited Edition (Chronograph) will be sold exclusively in TAG Heuer boutiques, on the brands’ e-commerce websites in select countries, as well as at select retail partners. The TAG Heuer Formula 1 X Mario Kart Limited Edition (Chronograph Tourbillon) will be sold exclusively in TAG Heuer boutiques and on the brands’ e-commerce websites in select countries.